Yellowknife (June 25, 2020) – The Northwest Territories RCMP charged four people in connection with cheque fraud. The investigators believe that up to 15 people deposited a fraudulent cheque 36 times into various bank accounts between December 2019 and February 2020. The cheque was initially issued to an individual by the North Slave Correctional Centre’s Trust Fund and was then reproduced and altered. They fraudulently gained $23,407.92. As a result of the investigation, the Mounties arrested Tyleen Mac Kenzie, Amanda Lamouelle, and Molson Romie and issued an arrest warrant for Aaron Nitsiza. They have been charged with Fraud and Uttering Forged Document.
The Northwest Territories RCMP’s Financial Crimes Unit charged four people for their part in a cheque fraud, according to a press release from June 23. Investigators discovered that the cheque, which was initially issued by a Northwestern Territories prison, was deposited 36 times. The investigation led to three arrests and one arrest warrant.
Cheque fraud investigation
A partnership between the banks and the government of Northwest Territories auditors discovered a cheque fraud and reported the matter in January to the RCMP. Part of their investigation was to issue production orders for four financial institutions.
As a result, the Mounties discovered that up to 15 people allegedly deposited a cheque in total 36 times into various bank accounts between December 2019 and February 2020. They believe that some people were not aware that the cheque was fraudulent. The cheque was initially issued to an individual by the North Slave Correctional Centre’s Inmate Trust Fund. It was reproduced and altered various times to withdraw the money. The suspects deposited $23,407.92 in total.
Four suspects charged
The RCMP charged Aaron Nitsiza (22) from Yellowknife, Tyleen MacKenzie (19) from Behchoko, Amanda Lamouelle (29) from Behchoko, and Molson Romie (31) from Yellowknife with Fraud and Uttering a Forged Document. The police issued an arrest warrant for Nitsiza. The other three have already been released and scheduled to appear in court on August 25.
Constable Landon King of the NT RCMP Financial Crimes Unit provided a statement emphasizing that the charges are serious and hurt the public. ‘Defrauding the government or financial institutions is not a victimless crime. Financial losses directly affect the GNWT’s ability to deliver services to citizens of the NT, and defrauding the banks result in higher fees for everyone,’ stated Cst. King.
The RCMP asks anyone with information on fraud or any other criminal activity to call Yellowknife RCMP at 669-1111, or contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-8477 anonymously.
Read more: Attempt to cash fraudulent cheque results in arrest of four men
